2. mLearn 2012 iPad Guide 2
iPads
This guide will detail the Projects experience with the iPads over the last year.
Choosing iPads
The Project has taken a ‘best of breed’ approach for the devices being trialled, and at the end of 2011
iPads were chosen. Despite the number of recent developments in operating systems and additional
hardware manufacturers entering the tablet space, it is still felt that the iPad is the best tablet solution
on the market. Some of the reasons for this include:
»» both WiFi and 3G connectivity options provide access on and off campus. 3G is particularly
suited for off campus usage particularly for workplace learning and remote locations
»» abundant app store and development ecosystem
»» largest market share and units sold worldwide
»» infancy and unavailability of other operating systems (Android, Windows) for tablets
»» lack of thriving app development for tablet devices for other platforms
»» consistency of user experience across devices provides a simpler system to manage
»» suitability for use across the course profile
»» enterprise management options are available, Mobile Device Management integration, and of
potentially more significance, the Volume Purchasing Program for apps
»» the app ecosystem is thriving and 83% of developers have iOS listed as the platform of choice
»» the peripheral market is thriving and can augment the device and increase its applications in real
life contexts
»» publishers have adopted the platform for making textbooks, enhanced texts and apps available
to replace and supplement print texts
»» iOS is the most maintained operating system with adoption rates of new versions significantly
higher and well managed than competing platforms
Connectivity
One of the main features of the iPad is that it is available with both WiFi and 3G connectivity
options. Many tablet devices are available with WiFi only, which can be quite limiting in terms of
their portability because of this dependency. The cellular data network, provided by Telstra, is able to
be used in conjunction with the on campus, or at home WiFi, and extends the range of the device far
beyond the normal location constraints. The trials have found this is particularly suited to off campus
usage, in particular for workplace learning students, and those operating in rural and remote locations.
Some students found that the WiFi models were limiting their mobility. The required connection
restricted the locations and environments in which they could operate, that is, some only to the
university, as they had no WiFi at home.
While mobile data was never intended to be used as the primary connection for the device, 3G was
an important component in extending its range, particularly for staff and students away from campus
and home. For students on work placement and staff wishing to work remotely 3G became a lifeline
and allowed them to operate outside of the normal constraints.
3. mLearn 2012 iPad Guide 3
Content
The iPad created and established the tablet market and because of its market share and the sheer
number of units sold, it has become the first choice for developers and publishers when
developing content. In a recent survey, the developers of cross platform (iOS and Android)
development tool Titanium, responded that 83% have iOS listed as the platform of choice (Shirer,
2012). Over the last year there has been significant growth in app development for tablet devices for
other platforms, but they are in essence playing catch-up. Another key area to note is the number of
traditional publishers that have adopted the platform for making eBooks, textbooks, enhanced texts
and apps available to replace and supplement print texts. From a content perspective the abundant
app store, signed up publishers and development ecosystem, make the iPad suitable for use
across the course profile.
Content Provisioning
The iPad is almost completely reliant on an Internet connection for functionality. The device is
heavily dependent on Cloud storage and access to a PC to sync, manage and transfer content,
settings, files and backup. This imposes some challenges relating to the provision of content, in
particular traditional learning resources.
Files cannot be copied from physical storage straight onto the device, as there are no inputs for third
party peripherals. Instead, files must be accessed online or transferred via the iTunes application
on the user’s PC. The reliance with online storage has significant implications for the provision of
copyright material as it exposes CSU to different copyright statutes, which are more limiting than
those applied to print or digital copies on a disc. This has significant implications for subjects or study
areas heavily reliant on provided readings.
The reliance on online storage also poses some issues with regard to access and equity. WiFi
connections are dependent on physical infrastructure to be in place in the student homes, in the
workplace or on campus. On campus, students are covered by CSUConnect during their time in class
or on the grounds, but once they leave they are left to their own devices. This is felt far more acutely
by those studying in blended or distance modes, as they are completely reliant on providing the
infrastructure themselves.
The 3G and mobile data options are a work around for many students and staff, but suffer from a
dependency on an external service provider. Students may live in remote areas that have poor or no
service available. Cellular data is also far more expensive and limited than that available from a home
broadband plan. An increase in the adoption of services that have high data requirements, in
particular those with rich media, such as video lectures and online meetings, may place an
additional burden and cost onto students.
Support
The Project has found that support requirements have been minimal for the iPad. The
rollout of a single device has provided an environment where there are “Known knowns and known
unknowns” improving risk management, support provision and reducing ongoing issues. Past the
initial setup stage, ongoing support requests have been non-existent. There have been a number of
students and staff with single isolated issues, but these are often problems with outside platforms or
interfacing with CSU infrastructure. These have been quickly resolved when the team can help, and
ongoing issues logged via support requests.
4. mLearn 2012 iPad Guide 4
The iPad has provided consistency of user experience across devices, making it a simpler system to
manage. It has also helped to establish an organic community of practice, which is able to inform
each other of practices and techniques, reducing the need for direct intervention.
No devices have failed, but there have been three devices damaged. These have been accidental drops
and have resulted in smashed screens, but with hardware still functioning.
Extensibility
The designed simplicity of the iPad is one of its key selling points, the availability and proliferation
of a peripheral market can augment the device and increase its applications in real life contexts. The
Project has trialled a variety of keyboards and stylus to test the iPad’s ability and efficacy in a variety
of tasks.
The keyboards provided a much-improved experience for those whose main objective is the creation
and editing of large amounts of text. When combined with the portability of the device, the
keyboard adds a new dimension allowing the user to replace or extend the use of a larger, bulkier
laptop or desktop.
The styli were used in a variety of mathematical applications to test their efficacy in improving
handwriting and mark-up to replicate the functionality of pen and paper. Mathematics is a specific
discipline area where handwriting is the quickest and most effective way of communication. Complex
equations are easier to write and annotate the process of working through a mathematical problem.
There are a vast amount of other peripherals that the Project has not explored, which could easily be
used in various discipline areas to augment and extend the capabilities of the iPad. There is a range
of new and upcoming possibilities in the medical field, as well as in the arts and digital media. These
peripherals have the ability to change and adapt a very generic and adaptable device into a
very specific and high spec tool, often at a much-reduced cost than a single purpose device.
Build Quality
One of the unexpected aspects of having to support the iPad has been the lack of hardware issues.
None of the devices used throughout the Project has had any hardware or operating system
failures. Three devices were damaged by accidental drops, which resulted in smashed screens, but
the underlying hardware was still intact. Comparing the quality of materials, fit and finish to the other
devices purchased by the Project for the testing suite, the iPad is ahead of the field. The glass and
aluminium body holds up particularly well to long periods of use and everyday wear and tear, and the
plastic bodies on other devices may have difficulty in maintaining the same level of quality over the
same periods of time.
Data Usage
The Project provided all 3G devices with 10Gb of data to ensure that access and equity were
not issues. During these trials only one student and one staff member exceeded the data available.
The student had to rely heavily on their iPad during a placement in a regional area, because of the
lack of available services and infrastructure. The staff member forgot to turn off roaming when
overseas, so expended their allowance at a significantly accelerated rate.
Students were concerned about data usage especially those using 3G. Despite all costs being covered
by the Project, students did show an unexpected concern. Once shown how to could check progress,
they were pleasantly surprised, especially as some students were heavy Skype users during their
practicum.
5. mLearn 2012 iPad Guide 5
Given that there were only two requests for additional data, it can be safely assumed that in most
cases heavy data usage occurred over WiFi and not 3G. Most staff and students reported that they
used CSU Connect and their home WiFi far more than the 3G connections. A number of other
conclusions can be inferred from this:
»» most use of the iPad was on campus or at home
»» operating system limitations on the download of larger apps may have prevented some
downloading
»» 3G was used to augment WiFi and used only when it was unavailable due to location
»» some staff and students reported using 3G when there were issues with CSU Connect, as it
provided a safety net in these situations
The Tablet
The form factor of the tablet has been shown to be beneficial in an educational context. The larger
screen and ergonomic design allow the device to be both portable and functional for a variety of
tasks. Reading and writing tasks were performed extensively on the iPad and the large screen size
was an important factor. In comparison with a Smartphone the larger screen makes it easier to
read, improves usability and functionality for a number of tasks, such as email, marking,
mathematics, writing and often extends functionality by providing a richer and more fully
featured interface to allow more complex and intricate tasks.
The feedback from participants shows that the device will not replace their laptop/desktop. This fits
the current trend in post PC computing, where tablets do not replace other devices, instead users
add technology, so that they are interacting with multiple devices. The limitations of the device also
impact on this decision as they are not as full featured as a standard PC:
»» sacrifice features to be more portable and provide longer battery times
»» ability to write essays is impacted as well by the lack of a physical keyboard
»» lack of like-for-like software equivalents
»» lack of a visible file system
However, the mobility of the iPad has complemented many teaching and learning processes and
become an important tool to create, reference, research and communicate across locations and
environments. It fits seamlessly into their current practice and in many cases improves their
ability to connect and perform. It provides them with a form factor where they feel comfortable
to read, which is one of the many complaints of PCs and the increasing move online. The tablet
provides an interesting platform in the education sector, as it bridges the personal Smartphone and
the work-oriented PC. Its role can be seen as additive, as it does not reduce functionality or purpose
from these two universal devices, but adds a new dimension. As an interactive and media-rich
consumption device through to an all purpose portable creation tool, the tablet has created a new
niche for technology, one that embodies the potential for a better connected and authentic learning
environment.
Image Attribution
iPad designed by Daxx Longaphie from The Noun Project
mLearn 2012: Lessons Through Exploration
by Tim Klapdor
Copyright: 2013 Charles Sturt University.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
